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snowjay
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Joined: July 27 2006
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 16:15 | IP Logged
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I've been using Insteon gear for probably 6 months now and I've finally
decided to get serious about getting a software package to help manage
and expand it's capabilities.
I tried Indigo on my Powerbook which was cool but there are features
missing in its current version and not wanting to go out and buy a Mac
Mini to control everything 24x7 when I have a couple of old pcs on
mothballs that could be put into service let me to look at pc solutions.
The Houselinc software looks promising but without being able to try it
first before ordering and having no complete list of features I'm not
willing to wait it out. I had peeked at PH before but never tired it as it
seemed way overkill for what I wanted. Plus I deal with code and configs
all day at work and I didn't want to spend my time at night doing the
same. But many people on the Smarthome forums recommended it so
here I am. 
I downloaded the latest version the other night, patched it and had it up
and running and discovering my devices. Last night I spent a couple of
hours figuring out macros, triggers and getting the web interface
working. I do have to say it looks more complicated that it really is and
it's not too bad to quickly pick up, at least for me.
Currently I'm testing out PH on a Thinkpad laptop but I'd like to move it
to one of my other boxes. One is a mini pc with a 1.2 Celeron processor
and the other is a tower with a 1.6Ghz P4 which needs a power supply.
The mini is a more elegant choice but it's dog slow so I'll probably
ressurect the 1.6 and maybe get a nice case for it as well (right now it's
on an ugly Micron case).
Now with all that said I do have some questions. I haven't gotten through
all the documentation yet so forgive me if this is covered somewhere.
1. In the triggers what is the difference between Insteon Group In, Insteon
Group Out, Insteon Direct in and Insteon Direct Out? I only get results
when I use Group In. I'm guessing the Out is PH sending something? But
how do I use the Directs?
2. In macros how can I control the LED of the KPL? It's easy to have
macros turn lights on and off but I want to update the status of the KPLs
as well. I haven't gotten past just turning on individual lights so if you
want to give me pointers on using groups etc that would be helpful.
3. I have a button on each of my KPLs set as Non-Toggle-Off and when
pressed it turns off all the lamps assigned to it and also turns off the
associated LEDs on the KPL. Weird thing is when I go to the KPL Config
Util the button is displayed correctly as a Non-Toggle-Off but the
checkboxes for the buttons are all ON. Shouldnt they be Off? Or doesn't it
really matter since it's an Off only button.
4. I'd love to get an IR device so I can control my ligthing from my
Harmony 880. Maybe later on I'll set it up to control some HT stuff too,
any recommendations for a beginner?
5. Is it possible to build macros through the web interface? I'd love to be
able to sit on my couch and work on my Powerbook as opposed to sitting
at the desk working on the pc running PH.
Ok, I think thats all for now. :)
Jay
Edited by snowjay - July 28 2006 at 15:25
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TonyNo
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Joined: December 05 2001
Location: United States
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 19:28 | IP Logged
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Welcome to PowerHome!
1. This is explained in the Insteon docs (phinsteon.rtf).
2. & 3. No KPL's here, sorry.
4. A USB-UIRT is a good choice (a lot of people here use it). If your PH machine will not be near the location where you will be using the remote, you can get a USB extender or use IR relay devices (Powermids). There are also a few other IR devices that PH supports: CIR (Computerized Infrared Remote), Multi-CIR, RedRat2, RedRat3, CPU-XA/Ocelot, and Slink-e.
5. Not yet. I use Radmin from another windows PC. You could also use the free version of LogMeIn, which is web-based, and works on a Mac.
Feel free to post any other questions.
Tony
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snowjay
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 20:21 | IP Logged
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Thanks Tony.
1. Duh, not sure how I missed that. I read it the first night but didn't click
last night when I was working with the triggers and macros.
4. Thanks, I'll look into them. First I gotta get that old pc back in operation.
5. Thanks for the recommendations. Any reason not to use Remote Desktop?
I have a Mac client for that as well. Also on a similar note, when I set up my
new "server" I plan on making it headless so everything will be remote
access. Well thats the plan anyway.
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TonyNo
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| Posted: July 27 2006 at 20:34 | IP Logged
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Ah! If there is a Mac RD client, have at it!
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smarty
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 08:58 | IP Logged
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Another dumb question that I SHOULD know the answer to but, ......
What is a "KPL"?
__________________
Elk - Insteon - BlueIris - DMC1 - PowerHome - XLobby - HA_Bridge w/Dots - Brultech
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snowjay
Newbie
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Location: United States
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| Posted: July 28 2006 at 09:04 | IP Logged
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KPL = KeypadLinc
SL = SwitchLinc
LL - LampLinc
AL = ApplianceLinc
CL = ControlLinc
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snowjay
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| Posted: August 02 2006 at 19:32 | IP Logged
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Well I figured out my #2 question.
You need to link the buttons to the Powerlinc with their own group. Say all
the dining room buttons that appear on KPLs are group 2 and then all the
bedroom buttons are group 3. Then in a macro you just send a fast on or off
command to that group and voila the status lights are updated.
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dhoward
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| Posted: August 02 2006 at 21:01 | IP Logged
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Snowjay,
Welcome to PowerHome. Glad to hear you got the #2 question figured out. Perhaps I can help with the #3  .
The KPL Config util allows you to set and clear all of the individual KPL flags that are programmable. There is no clear documentation from SmartHome on what all of these do so it's been mostly trial and error. From what you've described though, the operation is correct. If the button were a toggle button and you had all of the "On" boxes checked, then when you switched the button in question, all of the other buttons would follow suit. Click the button on and all the buttons will light. Click it off and all the buttons will go off. Since you've set the button as non-toggle off, then it's still following the rules.
Well, not sure if I really answered it but hope I explained it a little bit.
Concerning #2 though. This is a good use for the "Clone" group capability in the Create/Edit/Clone window. If you've got a KPL or other switch controlling a group of lights and you want to control that same group from the PLC, then just clone that group and include the original controller.
Dave.
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Topic: Intro and some questions
